Can’t remember when you last felt calm? Currently, the average woman in her 50s feels anxious for over an hour-and-a-half each day, compared to 57 minutes before the COVID-19 pandemic kicked in.* ‘There’s a real worry about mental health at the moment, with feelings of vulnerability and helplessness,’ says chartered psychologist Dr Meg Arroll.
Want to add some much-needed calm to your day? Try these techniques…
Meet our experts…
Dr Meg Arroll is a chartered psychologist on behalf of Healthspan
Dr Sophie Bostock is a sleep expert at Bensons for Beds
Play gratitude bingo
‘Gratitude has been shown to help you feel calm,’ says Dr Arroll. ‘Make your own “gratitude bingo board” by dividing a sheet of paper into 16 squares. Label each one with things you’re grateful for, such as a sunny day or good friends. Do this with your family – ask everyone to think of things they’re grateful for. Place counters on each of the squares that apply each day. This quick game can be a real worry-buster.’
The empty jar trick
‘Find an empty jar and label it: “This Is Me”. Then take 10-20 small pieces of paper and write down your positive characteristics on each,’ says Dr Arroll. ‘Pop them in the jar, then next time you start to feel frantic, pull out a trait. Remind yourself of specific times you felt like that and how you can use it again in the future.’
Stop anxious thoughts fast
この記事は WOMAN'S OWN の August 31, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は WOMAN'S OWN の August 31, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
ANITA NAIK A PROBLEM SHARED
Mum-of-two Anita Naik has been an agony aunt for 32 years
ON SAFARI IN SOUTH AFRICA
Add the wilds of Kruger National Park to your bucket list, says Amanda James
'LET'S RAISE SOME SERIOUS CASH!'
The Radio 2 DJ is among the hosts of Children In Need…
THREE WOMEN ONE DRESS
Gemma Stevens, 34, needed a wedding dress that had stood the test of time
HOW TO HAVE A SILENT NIGHT
Trouble nodding off? Waking in the early hours? Our experts can help
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on I'm a Celeb, work attire and young drivers
I THOUGHT HE'D COME TO KILL ME
For Sally Meeson, 45, the end of a relationship was the beginning of a nightmare
Loose Women IN CRISIS
With unhappy viewers and panel fall-outs, are the key characters about to be axed?
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
